GE to Maria Lewis, Griff, [6 July 1840]
Title
GE to Maria Lewis, Griff, [6 July 1840]
Title
GE to Maria Lewis, Griff, [6 July 1840]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Maria Lewis
Date(s)
- 1840-07-06
Place
GRIFF
Letter Content
GE to Maria Lewis, Griff, [6 July 1840]
MS: Yale. Address: Miss Lewis | 12. Buenos Ayres | <Ramsgate.> | Try Margate. Postmarks: COVENTRY | Jy 7 | 1840; RAMSGATE | Jy 8 | 1840. Extract published: Cross, I, 70.
Griff Monday Evening.
My very dear Friend,
In this vestibule to life's theatre we must be content to accomplish all our projects and realize all our hopes imperfectly. I am going to give you a new illustration of this trite dictum by replying promptly indeed to your Saturday's letter, (and this part of my wishes my affection and sympathy will not let me forego) but with little of the composure and still less of the leisure that are required to speak of those subjects which alone are asbestian 223 and retain any substance in the fire of tribulation. I am afraid to imagine what may now be your circumstances. I can only renew my prayer that you may have the assurance that "your Father is at the helm" and find that an adequate support. I am a little tried, in my style of trial just now, but I need it.
I know you like to hear of the state of my thermometer, so I will tell you that though I am not in hot water I am in some that is slightly troublous. I believe it is decided that Father and I should leave Griff 224 and take up our residence somewhere in the neighbourhood of Coventry, if we can obtain a suitable house and this is at present a matter of anxiety. So you see I am likely still to have a home where I can independently welcome you. I am really so plunged in an abyss of books, preserves and sundry important trivialities that I must send you this bare proof that I have not cast the remembrance of you to a dusty corner of my heart. I beg you, if possible, to send me a bulletin by the earliest post. I promise to write more if it will be acceptable. Ever believe that "my heart is as thy heart" that you may rely on me as a second self, and that I shall with my usual selfishness lose no opportunity of gratifying my duplicate. Basta, you say, and I obey. Good bye.
MS: Yale. Address: Miss Lewis | 12. Buenos Ayres | <Ramsgate.> | Try Margate. Postmarks: COVENTRY | Jy 7 | 1840; RAMSGATE | Jy 8 | 1840. Extract published: Cross, I, 70.
Griff Monday Evening.
My very dear Friend,
In this vestibule to life's theatre we must be content to accomplish all our projects and realize all our hopes imperfectly. I am going to give you a new illustration of this trite dictum by replying promptly indeed to your Saturday's letter, (and this part of my wishes my affection and sympathy will not let me forego) but with little of the composure and still less of the leisure that are required to speak of those subjects which alone are asbestian 223 and retain any substance in the fire of tribulation. I am afraid to imagine what may now be your circumstances. I can only renew my prayer that you may have the assurance that "your Father is at the helm" and find that an adequate support. I am a little tried, in my style of trial just now, but I need it.
I know you like to hear of the state of my thermometer, so I will tell you that though I am not in hot water I am in some that is slightly troublous. I believe it is decided that Father and I should leave Griff 224 and take up our residence somewhere in the neighbourhood of Coventry, if we can obtain a suitable house and this is at present a matter of anxiety. So you see I am likely still to have a home where I can independently welcome you. I am really so plunged in an abyss of books, preserves and sundry important trivialities that I must send you this bare proof that I have not cast the remembrance of you to a dusty corner of my heart. I beg you, if possible, to send me a bulletin by the earliest post. I promise to write more if it will be acceptable. Ever believe that "my heart is as thy heart" that you may rely on me as a second self, and that I shall with my usual selfishness lose no opportunity of gratifying my duplicate. Basta, you say, and I obey. Good bye.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Maria Lewis, Griff, [6 July 1840], Complete George Eliot Letters(2026), George Eliot Archive, edited by Beverley Park Rilett. https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org, Accessed September 7, 2026. https://georgeeliotarchive.org/items/show/92894